Aari McDonald was named to the Wooden Award midseason top 25 watch list on Wednesday.
McDonald, a redshirt sophomore guard, is the first Arizona Wildcats women's basketball player named to the midseason watch list sinceย Shawntinice Polk in 2003-04.
The John R. Wooden Award, bearing the name of the former UCLA men's basketball coaching legend, is annually awarded to the nation's top player in both men's and women's basketball.
McDonald, a transfer from Washington, is averaging 25.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.6 steals per game at Arizona this season. She became the first player in UA history to score at least 30 points in back-to-back games, when she scored 32 against Colorado and 34 against Utah during last week's road trip.
McDonald's scoring average ranks second in the country to Iowa'sย Megan Gustafson (26.4), and she ranks second in the Pac-12 in steals to Kennedy Leonard (3.07) of Colorado.
In three conference games, in which the Wildcats are 2-1, McDonald is averaging 30 points, 7.3 rebounds, four steals and three assists per game.
McDonald was named Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday for a third time this season after averaging 33 points, eight rebounds and five steals in Arizona's win over Colorado and loss to Utah.
Arizona (12-2, 2-1) hosts No. 24 California at 7 p.m. Friday, and No. 6 Stanford at noon Sunday.
John R. Wooden Award,ย 2018-19 midseason top 25 watch list
Name | School | Conf. | Height | Class | Pos. |
Kristine Anigwe | California | Pac-12 | 6-4 | Sr. | F/C |
Kenisha Bell | Minnesota | Big Ten | 5-9 | Sr. | G |
Kalani Brown | Baylor | Big 12 | 6-7 | Sr. | C |
Bridget Carleton | Iowa State | Big 12 | 6-1 | Sr. | G |
Chennedy Carter | Texas A&M | SEC | 5-7 | So. | G |
Kaila Charles | Maryland | Big Ten | 6-1 | Jr. | G |
Napheesa Collier | Connecticut | American | 6-1 | Sr. | F |
Lauren Cox | Baylor | Big 12 | 6-4 | Jr. | F |
Sophie Cunningham | Missouri | SEC | 6-1 | Sr. | G |
Crystal Dangerfield | Connecticut | American | 5-5 | Jr. | G |
Rennia Davis | Tennessee | SEC | 6-2 | So. | G/F |
Asia Durr# | Louisville | ACC | 5-10 | Sr. | G |
Megan Gustafson | Iowa | Big Ten | 6-3 | Sr. | F |
Ruthy Hebard | Oregon | Pac-12 | 6-4 | Jr. | F |
Rhyne Howard | Kentucky | SEC | 6-2 | Fr. | G |
Sabrina Ionescu# | Oregon | Pac-12 | 5-11 | Jr. | G |
Tiana Mangakahia | Syracuse | ACC | 5-6 | Jr. | G |
Teaira McCowan | Mississippi State | SEC | 6-7 | Sr. | C |
Aari McDonald | Arizona | Pac-12 | 5-7 | So. | G |
Arike Ogunbowale | Notre Dame | ACC | 5-8 | Sr. | G |
Katie Lou Samuelson# | Connecticut | American | 6-3 | Sr. | G/F |
Jessica Shepard | Notre Dame | ACC | 6-4 | Sr. | F |
Destiny Slocum | Oregon State | Pac-12 | 5-7 | So. | G |
Alanna Smith | Stanford | Pac-12 | 6-4 | Sr. | F |
Jackie Young | Notre Dame | ACC | 6-0 | Jr. | G |
# indicates players selected as a 2017-18 John R. Wooden Award All Americanยฎ
